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London firms' optimism about the economy soars – CBI/KPMG

Housing availability and affordability having negative impact on recruitment

London firms’ optimism about the economy has soared to its highest level since the end of 2010 but there is increasing concern about the negative impact of housing costs and the lack of good quality affordable housing. That’s according to the latest CBI/KPMG London Business Survey.

The latest quarterly survey of 154 London business leaders shows that 70% of firms are more optimistic about the prospects for the economy in the next six months, 44% higher than last year. 51% of respondents are optimistic about their own business prospects, which has been consistent for the past ten months. More than half of London firms (56%) are continuing to increase their headcount, with only 18% maintaining a recruitment freeze. The number of businesses hiring only where essential has fallen from 70% last year to 59% in this survey.

However, one of the biggest threats to competitiveness is the cost of housing in the capital. A quarter of those surveyed highlighted it as a risk to London’s ongoing competitiveness compared to other world cities and the second biggest threat to international competiveness, after the general cost of doing business.

The vast majority of London businesses surveyed (83%) feel that there is a lack of good quality affordable housing in the city, with half (48%) saying that this has increased their costs. Two-thirds of respondents (61%) list housing costs and availability as having a negative impact on recruitment of entry level staff, with half of respondents saying the same thing for mid-level managerial employees and a quarter (23%) for senior staff. Firms highlighted various other negative effects on business growth:

42% said that they are having to pay a premium to attract and retain staff

41% said they have experienced issues with people being unable to afford to live in the local area

24% said employees were having to move away from the local area because off housing costs and therefore having to leave their job.

The majority of firms said they had not considered relocating their company because of high housing costs but a worrying 16% said they had.

Sara Parker, CBI Director London, said: “As growth begins to bed down London firms are feeling increasingly optimistic, taking on new employees and planning to expand over the next year.

“But the lack of affordable quality housing is becoming a real headache for London’s businesses and their employees.“Many firms are telling us that recruiting and retaining staff is getting tough because people are being priced out of local markets and are forced to move further and further away from their workplace. This adds to the cost of their commute and ultimately to business staffing costs.

“London simply does not have enough affordable quality housing supply to meet demand, so the Mayor must focus urgently on freeing up land for residential building, accelerating the planning process and building many more homes.”

Richard Reid, London Chairman of KPMG, said: “The housing crisis in the Capital is beginning to have a serious impact on businesses, particularly at the SME level where they simply cannot afford to inflate wages in order to keep up with the runaway housing market here.

“Our small and start up business community is essential to keeping the Capital dynamic and innovative, attracting foreign investment to London, but as the average income of people purchasing their first property is now £47,000 – it is simply beyond the balance sheets of most small businesses and the pockets of their employees.

“The mayor has done a good job in areas such as transport and promoting London globally, but unless something is done urgently to increase the availability of quality affordable housing in London which is pushing many professionals, entrepreneurs and talented jobseekers to other UK cities, the 16% of businesses who have said that they are considering relocating their company because of housing costs could become much higher.”

Expansion plans

Two-thirds of respondents (64%) plan to expand their businesses over the next year, down slightly from 73% six months ago. Of those looking to expand 62% are looking to do so in London and outside the UK. London business concerns

The top concerns for business over the next year in the UK are:

1. Lack of appropriately skilled staff2. Retaining the best people for the business 3. Lack of economic growth 4. Regulatory pressures 5. Price increases and inflation

Note to Editors:

The CBI/KPMG London Business Survey is conducted quarterly to monitor the views of business on London as a place to do business. 154 businesses took part, and the survey was conducted between 27 September and 28 March 2014.

KPMG is a global network of professional firms providing audit, tax and advisory services. KPMG in the UK has around 11,000 people working in 22 offices and is part of a strong network of member firms. Its vision is to turn knowledge into value for the benefit of clients, people and capital markets.

The CBI has now moved to Cannon Place, 78 Cannon Street, London EC4N 6HN. All telephone contact numbers and emails will remain the same.

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